Running-gear for vehicles.



PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. VAN BUREN MARTIN & T. R. STEWART.

RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MARJS, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Va??? 1/ and Witnesses lnven'tor Attbrney No. 805,810. PATENTED NOV. 21,1905.

' VAN BURBN MARTIN & T. R. STEWART.

RUNNING GEAR FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.13, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

5221mm lnventoru' Witnesse Attorneys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' VAN BUREN MARTIN AND THOMAS RILEY STEWART, OF HOPKINSVILLE,

1 KENTUCKY.

RUNNING-GEAR FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. NOV. 21, 1905.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, VAN BUREN MARTIN and THOMAS RILEY STEWART, citizensof the United States, residing at Hopkinsville, in the county ofChristian and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and usefulRunning-Gear for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to running-gear for vehicles; and the inventionhas particular reference to what is generally known as a shortturningrunning-gear, among the objects being to simplify and to improve theconstructilon and operation of running-gears of this 0 ass.

Another object of the invention is to provide a short-turningrunning-gear which is adjustable as to the length thereof, so that itshall be adapted for hauling various kinds of material, including poles,long lumber, and similar material which requires a comparatively longrunning-gear.

Other objects are to promote the simplicity, durability, and generalefficiency of this class of devices.

WVith these and other ends in view, which will readily appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in theimproved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts,which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed outin the claims.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferredform of embodiment of the invention, it being, however, understood thatno limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural detailstherein exhibited, but that the right is reserved to anychanges,alterations, and modifications to which recourse may be had within thescope of the invention and without departing from the spirit orsacrificing the efiiciency of the same.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a running-gearconstructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. Fig. 2is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a bottom planview with dotted lines indicating the turning position of therunning-gear. Fig. 4 is 'a sectional detail view taken on the line 4 4in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective detail view of the slideoperating upon the reach. Fig. 6 is a perspective detail view of the endof one of the hounds having the slide-engaging member.

.Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional detail view taken on the planeindicated by the line 77 in Fig. 1.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated throughout bysimilar characters of reference.

1 and 2 designate, respectively, the front and rear axles, each of whichis provided with low wheels, (designated, respectively, 3 and A) itbeing understood that the present invention is applicable especially tolow-down vehicles or trucks. The front and rear axles are connected bythe reach or coupling-pole It, which is fitted between the sand-boards 56 and the axles l 2, said sand-boards being provided with recesses intheir under sides, as shown at 7 in Fig. 4 of the drawings, for theaccommodation of the reach. Supported upon the sand-boards are the frontand rear bolsters 8 9, and the bolsters, the sand-boards, the axles, andthe reach are connected with each other by means of king-bolts 1O 11,which permit the front and rear trucks to turn freely with relation tothe reach. The latter is made of considerable length, and it isconnected near its forward extremity with the front truck, while therear truck is capable of longitudinal adjustment, a plurality ofapertures, as 12, being provided for the reception of the kingbolt 11.

The reach A supports a casting 13, which constitutes a slidelongitudinally movable upon the reach. The sides of said slide areprovided with dovetailed grooves 14:, and the top of the slide has anaperture 15 for the reception of a bolt 16, whereby it may be secured inadjusted position upon the reach, which latteris provided with aplurality of apertures, as 17, for the reception of said bolt. Thelatter may also serve, when desired, to support in position a seat 18for the driver, to be utilized when the running-gear is driven unloadedfrom one place to another. The rear end of the slide 13 is provided witha hook 19, which is connected adjustably, as by means of chains 20, withthe rear bolster 9, the swinging movement of which will be therebylimited. The front bolster 8 is in like manner connected by chains 22with a hook member 23 upon the reach. The bolsters may of course be leftfree to move upon their respective pivots or king-bolts, if desired; butit will be usually preferred to limit their respective movements in themanner described.

EM designates the tongue, and 25 the tonguehounds, which divergerearwardly and are fitted and secured between the front axle and thesand-board 5, supported upon said front axle, the rear ends of saidhounds being connected by an arch member 26, which operates as afifth-wheel to support the front portion of the reach.

Pivoted between the rear axle and the sandboard 9 are the rear ends ofthe rear hounds 27, which converge in a forward direction and which areprovided at their front ends with pivotallysupported heads 28, havingdovetailed flanges 29, operating in the dovetailed grooves 14: of theslide 13. Said rear hounds are provided with clips or clamps 30 for thereception of the rear ends of bars or straps 31, the front ends of whichare pivotally connected with the under side of the front axle, asclearly seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings, said straps or bars beingextended rearwardly and across each other, the strap or bar connectedwith the right end of the front axle being connected at its rear endwith the left hound 27, and vice versa. The connection between the bars31 and the hounds 27 is adjustable, said bars being provided each with aplurality of apertures 32 for the reception of bolts, as 33, wherebysaid bars are connected with the clips or clamps upon the hounds 27.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawingshereto annexed, the operation and advantages of this invention will bereadily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains.It will of course be understood that in order to effect adjustment ofthe rear axle with relation to the reach it is only necessary to removethe king-bolt 11, the slide-securing bolt 16, and the coupling pins orbolts 33. The axle may then be moved rearwardly upon the reach orforwardly, as the case may be, the slide and the hounds 27,- whichlatter are connected with the rear axle, be simultaneously adjusted tothe desired point when the connecting bolts or pins are restored, andthe runninggear will thus be coupled in position for operation. In allpositions of the respective parts the rear hounds will be supported attheir front ends by their pivoted heads engaging the dovetailed groovesin the slides 13. The said hounds being connected with the couplingbars31 will operate in conjunction with the latter to transmit motionbetween the front and rear axles when a turn is made, thus permittingthe running-gear to turn in an exceedingly-limited space. This is agreat advantage under many circumstancesfor instance, when travelingupon narrow and crooked roads, when short turns are to be 'made throughgates and other obstructions,

and under other like circumstances. In driving attention need only to bepaid to the front truck. Where the latter passes, the rear truck must ofnecessity pass in the wake thereof.

This improved running-gear, as previously stated, is adapted to haulingof all kinds; but it is particularly well adapted for the purpose oftransporting th reshing-machines and other heavy machinery. of a likenature, which it is frequently necessary to carry through gates and thelike. It is to be understood, however, that the improved running-gear isof general application, that it may be used with or without a wagon boxor bed, and that all changes of a mechanical character as to size,proportion, general assemblage of parts and the like are consideredwithin the scope of the invention and are to be left open to the optionof the manufacturer of the device.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In arunning-gear of the class described, a front and a rear axle, a reachpivotally connected with said axles the rear axle being longitudinallyadjustable upon said reach, a slide movable upon the latter and providedwith dovetailed grooves, hound members connected pivotally with the rearaxle and having pivoted heads provided with dovetailed flanges workingin said grooves, and bars connected pivotally with the front axle,crossing each other, and connected adjustably with the rear hounds.

2. In a running-gear, a rear axle, a reach connected, pivotally andadjustably therewith, a slide upon said reach having dovetailed groovesin the side thereof, and hounds connected pivotally with the rear axleand having members engaging the dovetailed grooves in the slide.

3. In a running-gear, an axle, a reach connected pivotally andadjustably therewith, and hound members connected pivotally with theaxle and longitudinally slidably with the reach.

4L. In a running-gear, an axle, a reach connected pivotally andadjustably therewith, hounds connected with the axle, and membersconnected pivotally with the hounds and having slidablegroove-and-tongueconnection with the reach.

5. In a running-gear, an axle, a reach connected pivotally andadjustably. therewith, hounds connected with the axle, a sliding membermounted upon the reach and having dovetailed grooves, and membersconnected pivotally with the hounds and having tongues engaging saidgrooves.

6. In a running-gear of the class described, a front and a rear axle, areach pivotally connected with said axles, hounds pivotally connectedwith the rear axle, a slide adjustable upon the reach and havingdovetailed grooves in'the sides thereof, members connected with our ownwe have hereto afiixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

VAN BUREN MARTIN. THOMAS RILEY STEWART.

Witnesses:

J. L. NoLEN, D. B. CoFIN.

